I love the turn of the year because it feels like cracking the cover on the latest book in my favorite series. I don’t think of it as a fresh start because I haven’t changed overnight – nor do I want to – but there is a sense of anticipation I enjoy. A sense of wonder at where life will take me next.

Because I also use the Chinese system of astrology called the 9 Star Ki, where the new elemental year begins in early February, I feel like I have this month of grace. A month where, after the fullness of the holidays, I can turn inward and take stock of where I’ve been, where I am now and where I’d like to go; of how I’d like to feel; of what I’d like to focus my attention on.

This is a beautiful time to pause, to listen, to pay attention to what’s calling me forward and notice what’s ready to be released. It’s a moment to remember my priorities and see where I’ve drifted off course.

By all means dream big dreams, set goals or intentions, make resolutions if that makes you happy. But if that doesn’t rock your boat, take a minute or two every day to listen to the beat of your heart and the call of your soul. Follow those little whispers and nudges. Figure out where your priorities lie and point yourself in that direction. Then do the next right thing and the next and the next.

This new year will ask big things of all of us. It will ask us to navigate joy, challenge, grief, frustration, anger, sorrow, change, fear and love. It will ask us to stand up, to speak out, to learn, to grow, to reach out, to forgive, to be strong.

2017 is going to ask a lot of you. I’m here to tell you, you got this.

This week we will be uploading to this website all of the podcasts that originally aired on WebTalkRadio. If you are signed up to receive blog posts via email (you are if this landed in your inbox) you’ll be getting an extra email from me over the next few days. It should just be one email per day with all the new posts. You can simply delete them or look through to see if there are any podcasts you’d like to catch up on. If anything goes awry and you receive more emails than planned, feel free to unsubscribe (link at the bottom of every email) and please accept my apologies.

with love,
Alana

P.S. I hope you’re taking care of yourself over there. The week since the US election has been intense. It’s by no means “business as usual” over here. I simply haven’t found the words to say what I want to say yet. Know that I will continue to stand for and act on behalf of love, equality, liberty and justice for all.

Today’s episode is a short one. It’s just me and I’ve got two things to share. The first is that the podcast is going on hiatus. It’s time for me to focus on the areas of my life that feel extra-magical right now and also on those that could use more magic. I don’t know exactly when the show will be back, but if you subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, you’ll be the first to know. All of the shows will continue to be available on iTunes and on http://www.alanasheeren.com, so take the opportunity to catch up on any that you might have missed. I have so much gratitude for those of you who’ve listened to the show, whether it’s one episode or every single one. Thank you.

I also wanted to share some of what I’ve learned about creating and living a magical life, from my own experience, from my work with clients and from the more than 60 interviews I’ve done here on the podcast.

In today’s show I share a Hunter S. Thompson quote that prompted some thoughts on inspiration vs. fuel. After you listen, I urge you to nourish yourself with the highest octane fuel you can find this week –and see what magic happens.

My guest today has made it her mission to help people fuel their lives with more of what they desire. Caroline A. Shearer is the founder of Absolute Love Publishing and the bestselling author of many books and min-e-books™, including Women Will Save the World, Raise Your Vibration and Love Like God. See the Resources section for all Caroline’s titles. Through her writing and her support of other authors, Caroline is devoted to promoting goodness in the world. Join me to hear more!

A gentle reminder, just in case you need it too: We are living in turbulent times. We are inundated by information. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed, triggered, and even traumatized (or re-traumatized) by news stories, sound bytes, videos and the conversations that swirl around them. Self-care is an essential practice at all times and even more so when life feels challenging. Self-care means different things to each of us and can be practiced alone or in community. Find what works for you and fit it in where you can. Please, take good and gentle care of your precious self – you’re the only you the world has.

My guest for today’s show is writer, coach, and minister, Leela Sinha. She is the author of You’re Not Too Much: Intensive Lives in an Expansive World, a book that introduces a new framework for understanding who we are and how we show up in our lives. If you’ve ever been told you’re too intense, too emotional or too much, or if you’ve ever loved someone who you’ve thought those same things about, this conversation is for you.

How comfortable are you with conflict? If you’re like most people, you avoid it as much as possible and when you can’t avoid it any longer, you have coping mechanisms that might not serve you well. Regular conflict at home or in the workplace takes a toll on our overall wellbeing. The good news is that no matter how you feel about conflict now, you can learn to navigate it with confidence.

My guest today is an expert on human behavior and leadership. Jennifer McCabe is the founder and CEO of Pluck With Purpose, which teaches relationship and leadership skills to professionals and nonprofits both online and in person. The core of Jennifer’s work is based on the Four Skills for Relationship Competency. Join us for this conversation about resolving conflict, that’s full of practical tips and examples.

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What you’ll hear in this episode:

The importance of learning to deal with conflict

Jen’s HUGE vision

Being at peace with what is coming at you

Overview of the Four Skills for Relationship competency:

Empathic Listening

Empathy

Congruence

Unconditional Positive Regard

Being equipped to relate and take care of yourself

How to use empathic listening

Do you want to be right OR do you want to understand the other person?

When to choose empathy

Knowing when to use each skill—and how to integrate them into your relationships

Some people seem to be born knowing what direction to go in life, while others wander a more roundabout path. Both are fine of course (though I think those of us on the “scenic route” often wish for more clarity along the way). The challenges for both types come when we attempt to make changes and when our lives feel stressful. At these times it’s a gift to find someone – a healer, a coach, a loved one, a trusted friend – who can support our wellness and our dreams. Today’s guest is one of those people.

Jane Del Piero experienced stunning dreams as a child that catapulted her into her work with ancient healing traditions, and she’s been on a path of purpose ever since. She is an herbalist, massage therapist, acupuncturist, nutritionist, sound healer, medicine woman, and modern-day shaman. Jane uses her training and experience from around the world as she helps her clients tap into health, vitality, and limitless freedom in their personal, professional, and spiritual lives. Join us for this conversation full of big ideas and practical tips to support your health & wellbeing.

I’ve been thinking a lot about connection lately. Connection and community and how we need them like we need oxygen. We need someone to bear witness to our lives. We need to be there for each other. My hope is that we can continue to open our hearts, reach across a sea of difference and create a world community based on respect and love instead of fear.

Today’s show is about addiction, a struggle that so often stems from a lack of connection, from needs unfulfilled. Addiction can offer the illusion of connection but the destruction is deep, the hole tragically hard to climb out of. Some make it out, through moments of grace and a lot of hard work, but many do not.

Roy Nelson has walked the path of childhood wounding, addiction, grace, and recovery. He is a transformational speaker, spiritual healer, and the creator of the Nelson Method of Addiction Treatment. He specializes in working with addicts for whom every other method of recovery has failed. Roy is the author of Love Notes from Hell: Stories of Hopeless Addiction, Obsession and Freedom. Join us for this discussion of addiction, freedom, and what connection really means.

Do you feel you’re allowed to be who you are, to feel what you feel, to want what you want? If someone waved a magic wand and gave you full permission to be yourself, would anything in your life change?

Unfortunately, some people don’t feel safe enough to be themselves (and some people truly aren’t safe – something I hope we’re collectively working to change). You may feel like you’ve been hiding and “playing small,” afraid to show your true colors. Today’s show can help you find the courage and the skills to share your real voice with the world.

My guest is Dr. Michelle Mazur, a speech coach and the CEO of Communication Rebel. She specializes in taking those with something they want to say, helping them find their voice, and turning them into sought-after speakers. Michelle knows how to influence others through eloquent, persuasive speech. She has personally logged over 10,000 hours speaking to groups of all sizes, and teaching coaches, entrepreneurs, speakers, authors, and thought leaders how to ramp up their presentations. Her newest book is an Amazon bestseller titled Speak for Impact, and she’s also written Speak Up For Your Business. Do you want to make an impact and use your influence and persuasion for good? Join us now to learn more.

Do you ever feel overwhelmed by the demands and pressures of your life? Do you struggle to find a healthy way through the daily ups and downs? Do you wish for a fairy godmother to wave her magic wand and take care of everything on your to-do list so you can catch your breath? (I’m raising my hand over here on that last one!)

Most of us want lives filled with joy and ease but our choices often set us up for something very different. Even if we’re making the best choices we can, the pressures of modern life are hard to juggle.

It’s helpful to have a path to follow, a structure or practice that helps guide us toward a more ease-filled life. Today we’re talking about applying the ancient wisdom of yoga principles to busy lives in practical ways. Yoga is MUCH, MUCH more than just a body-stretching path to fitness!

My guest this week is Pleasance Silicki, a teacher, coach, magic-maker and community builder. She’s the author of the e-book Delight: EightPrinciples for Living with Joy and Ease, and co-founder of the National Kids Yoga Conference. She also founded Lil Omm Yoga, a former yoga studio in Washington, DC, now an online community. Today we are talking about slowing down, simplifying, and giving ourselves permission to be ENOUGH.